Work changes on Bridge St. landmark expected to add $30,000 to $1.1 million project

Unexpected construction challenges will increase the cost of a $1.1 million project to repair Grafton’s Bridge Street dam.

By a 5-1 vote, the Village Board on Monday approved a change order that will add $15,019 to the bill for work being done by Staab Construction.

Village Engineer Dave Murphy said several additional work is needed on the west abutment, including leveling bedrock that was higher than expected, building a wall to block the former spillway, filling in a hole in a newly constructed weir, changing the location of an electrical control box and installing a conduit for a future dam-lighting project.

Although the cost of the changes total more than $20,000, the amount of railing needed for the dam overlook can be reduced, trimming $5,189 from the amount, Murphy said.

The repair project, which began this summer and is expected to be substantially finished in December, is being done to bring the downtown landmark into compliance with state flood-control regulations. Murphy told the board that work changes due to unforeseen problems are not unusual.

He said work on the dam’s east abutment next month will require a change order resulting in another $15,000 in additional cost. However, because the village borrowed $1.2 million for the project, a $30,000 increase for changes will still be covered, he said.

Village President Jim Brunnquell said the change order was reasonable. “It looks like everything was discovered after we started,” he said.

Trustee Jim Grant, who has questioned the state’s requirement for the repairs, asked Murphy if work crews have discovered any structural weakness in the dam.

“The weir looks like it’s in really good shape,” Murphy replied.

Trustee Sue Meinecke was the only board member voting against the change order. In the past, she has voiced concern about the rising cost of repairs.

In June, the board accepted a $1.1 million bid from Staab for work that included repairing both abutments, widening the spillway, installing a hydraulic crest gate, raising the grade of the riverwalk and rebuilding the overlook area.

Although the cost will be defrayed by a Department of Natural Resources grant of $354,652, the village is required to pay the balance.